The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-27
THE WEEKLY TRADE REVIEW.
UnfavorabIe Outlook of the Dry Goods
Market-IrOn Dull.

UnfavorabIe Outlook of the Dry Goods
Market-Iron Dull.
New York, April Or. G. Dun & Co. IS
weekly review Of trade says: Unusual
weather binders trade. Extensive snow
patches of snow still on the ground at this
date around New York. account for not a
little embarra ssment in various branches
of business. tits compromising fact that
the long drought at the West is broken and
copious rains help crop prospects. But the
outlook in dry goods is especially affected
by unreasonable weather, which adds to
the apparent depression caused by IN
wonted purchases of stocks last month in
order to anticipate changes Of rates. The
market tor woolens drags, and is unsatis-
factory, and, while cotton staples are firm,
print cloths are weaker. Raw cotton does
not advance, though receipts are small, and
though wool has been weak, hope is ex-
pressed that the bottom has been touched.
Iron is dull at Philadelphia, with prices
of some grades marked down there and at
Pittsburg; bar is lower, and the entire
market feverish with symptoms OF weak
ness. Wheat is held by reported corner,
but has scarcely advanced a shade. Pork
products are little weaker, and oil is dull.
Coffee has been suddenly advanced cent
by speculative methods. Leather is in
better demand, boot and shoe orders hav-
ing decidedly improved. The rubber
market is excited. Stocks have turned
downward with an average decline for the
week of 80 cents per share.
For much of the embarrassment, the
changes IN rail rates under the interstate
act are responsible. Many think, as the
commission apparently does, that the rail-
roads have made the law an excuse for un-
necessary advance in rates, but the broad
fact remains that great part of the bust
ness of the country has been built up IN
der a system of special rates to encourage
especial localities or trades. The chief in
tent Of the act is to prohibit such special
favors. An inevitable result is that the
industries and business of great number
of places are disturbed.
Foreign and interior trade continue fair
ly active. Exports from New York show
an increase of IL per cent. over last year,
but are declining, against an increase of
~ per cent. 10 imports, with an advancing
tendency. At some Southern points bust
ness is so dull that country merchants in
unusual number are asking extensions, bat
collections generally are fairly prompt.
Money would be everywhere abundant
but for extraordinary demands in real es-
tate speculation and building. At New
York alone plans filed in three months
call for an expenditure OF $22 500, 900 in
building, and mortgages amounting
to So, G00,00 for the quarter. At
the same rate throughout the country
new mortgages would aggregate 2,000,-
100000 and new buildings would cost
81, 100000, 900. A Chicago journal reports
q, 347 miles of new railway building pro-
posed for the year and Is, $50 miles of track
to be relaid, which would cost over $780,
000,0 With such demands it is not
strange that any disturbance in the usual
trade and productive industry of the coun-
try is felt.
The business failures during the last
seven days number for the United States
III and for Canada 2S, against total of
175 last week, and 1874 for the correspond
ing week of last year.